Thought I would drop this in here as opposed to "dog chat".

When do you think it is right to bring in a pup. I have heard many different views over the years and they vary from person to person. It's just that someone said to me t'other day "about time thee had a pup".
I know some people train a dog up to about 2/3 years then bring another one on, may even be a different breed. Some like to have one dog for the duration and then get another one as the old'un is about to retire.(me) Some like to bring on 2 at a time (Pete)
I'd be lucky any hoo, everytime I go out to spend some cash, she always say, OI!!, no more dogs or guns in this house please.
What are your thoughts?

I think it depends on lots of factors really.

I cannot have more than two dogs, I do not have the space or time for them.

Because I compete with them I prefer to get the first dog to at least 5 before I get another one.

I do not think you know what you have ACTUALLY got at the end of the lead until the dog matures, which in the case of both my breeds is not before 3 years old.

I am not clever enough to bring on two dogs of the same age at the same time I am afraid.

My current dogs are aged 11 and 6 one of them will have to die before I get another one.

I think I'd love to do what Pete does - but Louie was such hard work - and he was easy too (compared to what some pups put their owners through). Kudos to Pete actually.. But even though I've been trying to rescue and older dog for some time, Louie is nearly 2 and I've been thinking about a puppy, but then Louie is still in training, I haven't any plans with him and I'd love to get him into gundog stuff rather than just dabbling in it now and then.. just to get a real feel for it all.. (we're going out with some rabbits next week to try him on more cold game)

But I do think my next puppy will have a proper plan in place before I set off and get one.. I'll have to do all my research and take it from there.. by which time Louie should be older and should be better behaved and out of training classes.. here's hoping!

But I do think I'm like you and SB - wait until a dog is a certain age then get another one..

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I don't think they are ever out of training classes are they? I think that once you have a level of obedience where by you can have your "older" dog in sit stay for 20 minutes with loads of distractions and without breaking the sit stay. Then that gives you the time to focus on the other dog and you can concentrate on the younger dog to train it, because you can take your focus of the older dog,
Then maybe that, is the time to think about introducing another pupster.
Pete hasn't picked up on this thread yet, but I will be interested to see how he goes about dividing his time between the two.

Nope they're not, unless they're called Sadie who seems to have gotten through life just been good so not needed training

20 minutes - you're joking right.. got loads of work to do then! So if I aim for a 20 minute sit stay and when I have that with loads of distractions going on - I can bring in another puppy - at least someone told me when I could

I'd be interested too how he splits it, I imagine it would be easy but not for me..

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Good question, Rhuna will be less than 1 year old by the time I (hopefully) have a pup from Tau, there was a year between Indie and Tau, who are no work whatsoever now, but I know it's going to be a busy time with two youngsters in the house, hence sticking to the basics with Rhuna, I reckon if I've got those in place, I can't go far wrong

Following this with great interest. I started thinking about dog number 2 as soon as Terence moved in. He's been brilliant if a little mad at times, but we'll have to wait and see.

Maybe slightly off thread: What are people's feelings about which sex to bring in? Or does it not matter at all?

For some breeds same sex kennel mates can be a problem, but not for many.

I have always had a bitch and a dog but if things go as planned my next pup will be another male so things might be interesting!

I do not neuter my males

We will be adding a pup soon Dora is 14 months now, we will be adding a male.

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This is a really interesting thread

I am very keen to get a second dog, but because Dexter is still a bit reactive when on a lead, I don't feel the time is right just yet. I want to do a lot more training with him before adding another dog to the family.

Originally I wanted to get another rescue, but now feel it would be better to get a puppy, so that I can ensure proper socialisation etc and avoid some of the issues which I've experienced with Dexter. That said, he has the sweetest temperament so if the new dog also had such a lovely nature, it would be wonderful.

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